How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 60% of admissible expenses, capped at $15000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative?

The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative is funded by Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation

What are The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative's eligibility criterias?

Must be a provincially licensed abattoir or beef processor in Nova Scotia Must generate at least $30,000 in annual gross business income Must actively process or slaughter beef and hold a valid, unsuspended Meat Plant or Processing Plant Licence

The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative

Last Update: July 25, 2025

NS, Canada

Supports capacity and improvements for Nova Scotia beef processors

The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $15,000
Up to 60% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing

Grant Providers

Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation

Status

Open

Overview of the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative program

The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative offers up to $15,000 in non-repayable funding for abattoirs and $5,000 for meat processors to enhance the capacity of provincially licensed facilities serving the beef industry. Eligible projects include purchasing processing equipment, improving food safety measures, upgrading animal welfare practices, and developing infrastructure for beef processing operations.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding covers up to 60% of eligible project costs.
Maximum funding of $15,000 for abattoirs and $5,000 for meat processors working with beef.
No more than 80% of non-repayable funding can be received for any eligible project cost, regardless of source.

Eligible projects & activities

Upgrading and expanding beef abattoirs and processing facilities to increase operational capacity.
Implementing equipment and infrastructure improvements for beef processing operations.
Developing and enhancing food safety and animal welfare processes specific to beef production.
Creating or updating product labeling and conducting nutritional assessments for new beef products.
Planning and improving waste water handling and management systems for beef processing operations.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 42,000

Replace refrigeration units with high-efficiency models in food centre

$ 48,000

Develop an ecommerce site and digital marketing for clothing co-op

$ 31,500

Upgrade retail space with energy-efficient lighting and accessible fixtures

$ 54,000

Automate and digitize inventory system for craft brewery operations

$ 79,000

Install rooftop solar panels and energy storage for local bakery

$ 42,000

Expand accessible outdoor programming through adaptive equipment purchase

Eligibility criteria of the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative program

The applicant must be a provincially licensed abattoir or processor actively processing or slaughtering beef in Nova Scotia.
The applicant must be at least 19 years of age during the program year.
The applicant must generate a minimum annual gross business income of $30,000, supported by relevant tax documents.
The applicant must hold an unrevoked and unsuspended Meat Plant Licence or Meat Processing Plant Licence from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture or Department of Environment and Climate Change, or be a federally registered meat establishment with proof of processing federally inspected beef from Atlantic Beef Products Inc.

Who is eligible?

Provincially licensed beef abattoirs in Nova Scotia
Beef processors in Nova Scotia with a valid license
Operators of federally registered meat establishments working with beef and sourcing from Atlantic Beef Products Inc.

Who is not eligible

Companies and processors not involved in beef processing or slaughtering.
Businesses that are not provincially licensed abattoirs or do not hold a valid Meat Plant or Meat Processing Plant Licence from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture or Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Operators processing only other meats (e.g., poultry, pork) without beef.
Applicants whose Meat Plant or Processing Plant Licence is revoked or suspended.
Companies that cannot provide proof of inclusion of federally inspected beef from Atlantic Beef Products Inc. if operating a federally registered establishment.

Eligible expenses

Purchase and installation of equipment such as rails, rollers, hooks, waterproof wall and ceiling boards, floor finishes, temperature monitoring devices, rail scales, handwash sinks, three compartment sinks, steel tables, steel counters, tabletops, cutting tops, and generators.
Equipment for lairage areas including gates, waterlines, and water bowls.
Red meat kill floor equipment such as split saws, kill box, stunning equipment (captive bolt), rollers, hooks, gambrels, spreader bars, reciprocating saws, and sterilizers.
Cooler and freezer equipment, including refrigeration units, air chilling racks, ice machines, meat tubs, meat tub racks, walk-in freezers, doors for coolers and freezers, and heat pumps for processing floors.
Processing equipment such as bandsaws, scales with label printers, patty makers, proportioners, grinders, vacuum sealers, smokers, injection equipment, deli slicers.
Restraining equipment for ritual slaughter.
Development of food safety plans for beef slaughter or processing lines.
Beef animal welfare and humane slaughter consultations.
Label design creation for beef products.
Nutritional review for new processed products.
Waste water handling planning and installation for beef slaughter or processing lines.
Fencing and signage for specified risk material disposal sites.

Eligible geographic areas

Nova Scotia

Eligibility criteria of the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative program

Assessment by a review committee based on information and supporting documentation provided in the application.
Provision of additional information upon request for further assessment by Perennia staff.
Demonstrated alignment with the program objective of increasing capacity and enhancement of Nova Scotia provincially licensed abattoirs and processors serving the beef industry.

How to apply to the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative program

Verify eligibility requirements

Review program eligibility criteria on the official program website
Ensure your business meets all licensing and income requirements
Prepare necessary business documentation

Complete application forms

Complete the Program Funding Registration Form
If eligible, complete the Application Form specific to the Beef Abattoir and Processing Assistance Program

Gather supporting documents

Obtain and include quotes for eligible activities and equipment
Include recent tax documentation (e.g., T2042, T1273, Schedule 125, T2)

Submit your application

Submit all required forms and supporting documentation by email, fax, or mail to Perennia
Verify that you have included all information before the application deadline

Await application review

Wait for your application to be reviewed by the committee
Respond to any requests for additional information if contacted by Perennia

Sign agreement if approved

If approved, review the Letter of Agreement sent by Perennia
Sign and return the Letter of Agreement within 30 days

Additional information

Applicants must disclose all sources of funding for the project, as no more than 80% of non-repayable funding can be received for any eligible project cost regardless of source.
All applications must be complete and submitted before the intake period closes; incomplete or late applications will not be assessed.
Applicants consent to make their name and the amount of support received under the program public information.
No payment will be made for claims under $20.00.

Contact Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation

programs@perennia.ca

902-670-9572

Apply to this program

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